A Worthless Crown

I stretched my arms over my head, inhaling the crisp morning air of Alto Mroa, and exhaled dramatically. Today was the day. The day I left behind my peaceful, familiar, perfectly comfortable home to throw myself into the chaos of the capital.

A part of me was thrilled—new challenges, better training, a chance to see how real swordsmen fought. The other part of me? Absolutely terrified. The capital was a place of noble intrigue, strict rules, and people who probably thought "hard work" meant lifting a teacup. Still, if I wanted to get stronger, I had to go.

But first—one last day to enjoy my town.

I strolled down the cobbled streets, , who ran the bakery. He always gave me the extra bread rolls at the end of the day, and in return, I pretended not to hear him cursing about his customers under his breath. He had only opened up to me after I became a hero, but that was just the life I lived.

"You're leaving today, aren't you, boy?" he grumbled, eyeing me as he kneaded dough.

"Yep. Off to the capital to become a master swordsman and witness the madness of royal politics firsthand."

Grik snorted. "So, you've decided to get eaten alive by nobles instead of wolves. Bold."

"I like a challenge."

He grumbled something about idiotic youth and shoved a warm roll into my hands. "One last freebie. Try not to die before you can repay me."

I grinned and took a big bite, waving as I walked away.

"You really are leaving," came a voice behind me. It was the elderly lady who was head of my maid-staff. Edren.

I turned to see her standing there, arms crossed, looking unimpressed.

"Well, yeah. I've been talking about it for months."

"Sure you were... You know there's things said about the capital-."

"It'll be a breeze. I'm travelling with a dragon-slayer after all!"

My servant rolled her eyes. "Any requests for the mother, master?"

"If I get into trouble, don't tell her."

"That's what I thought." She sighed and pulled out something wrapped in cloth. "Here. A parting gift."

I unwrapped it to find a small, carefully crafted dagger with my initials carved into the hilt.

"Edren…" I stared at it, feeling something suspiciously sentimental creeping into my chest.

"Don't let it rust," She said quickly. "It's just so you don't embarrass yourself in front of the nobles."

I smirked. "Oh, I will definitely still embarrass myself."

With a chuckle and a solid punch to my arm, she left, and I tightened my grip on the dagger. Maybe I'd keep it strapped to my belt.

After making the rest of my rounds—sneaking an extra apple from the fruit vendor, saying goodbye to the old storyteller in the town square, and watching the river one last time—I finally returned home. It was nice, everybody knew me as a hero. I seemed to have lessened their fears of the mines.

My mother was waiting for me at the doorstep, arms crossed, a knowing smile on her face. She had raised me single-handedly, with a mix of patience, sharp wit, and the occasional wooden spoon to the back of my head.

"All set?" she asked.

I nodded. "Yeah. My loot is all packed up."

"Did you eat?"

"Obviously. I train so much if I don't eat I'll die."

She gave me a look that suggested she knew I had been eating all morning but chose to ask anyway.

"Here," she said, handing me a small bundle. "Dried meat and nuts. The road is long."

I took it with a grateful smile. "Thanks, If it's your cooking I definately won't go hungry."

She looked me over like she was memorizing my face. "You're going to do well, you know."

I blinked. "You sound way too confident in me."

"I raised you, didn't I? And they say you've killed monsters in the mines..."

"…Fair point."

She reached up, ruffling my hair one last time like I was still a kid. "Go. Show the world what you're made of. And try not to get hurt."

"I love you, mom. I'll show the capital what we're made of."

With that I left my mother's side, ready to start a new chapter.

Before anything I was told to meet with Lord Vista, for one final chat.

I found myself at Lord Vista's estate.

His study was the same as ever—bookshelves lined with dusty tomes, maps of the kingdom spread across the desk, and that same air of quiet authority that made even the most reckless fool sit up straighter.

Lord Vista didn't waste time. "You're ready I presume?"

"As ready as I'll ever be."

He nodded. "You already know why you're going, but I'll say it again. You'll attend the Royal Academy with Fraero. You'll train, you'll learn, and you'll make yourself into the swordsman you need to be. But most importantly, you'll stand by Fraero's side. I trust in you, you became a hero in this city. I need you to act similarly in the capital."

I laughed. "You can trust in me, Sir."

"Yes, but now it's official," Lord Vista said dryly. "You are his right-hand man, Alcors. My son trusts you alot more than anyone else, and I expect you to honor that trust by being ready to die for him. Do you hear me right?"

It wasn't a request. It wasn't even an order. It was just… a fact. Like something that had been decided long before either of us had spoken it aloud.

I smirked. "I've already almost died for him, you can trust in me Lord Vista."

Lord Vista gave the smallest hint of a smile. "Then I have no doubts you'll do well."

I left his study with a feeling of finality settling in my chest. Not dread, not nervousness—just certainty. This was the path that was going to open my life into a true adventure.